Summer ranks as the favorite time of the year for most Americans. Swimming pools are filled with cool water and our national pastime is in full swing. But danger rises on our highways, particularly among teenage drivers.
Motor-vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, meanwhile, finds that drivers, ages 16-17, have a fatal car crash almost three times as often as adults.
Numbers spike during the summer season—a period from Memorial Day to Labor Day—also known as the “100 Deadliest Days.” It’s a time of the year that never should be taken lightly by parents.
AAA urges parents to teach safe-driving habits, as teens take to the highways this summer. It’s wise for parents to have their teenagers complete a comprehensive driver-education course and focus on the dangers of three factors that commonly result in deadly crashes for teens:
- Distraction – It plays a role in nearly 60% of teen crashes, four times as many as official estimates based on police reports. The top distractions for teens include talking with passengers and interacting with a smartphone.
- Not buckling up – Past research found that 60% of teen drivers killed in a crash did not wear their seat belt. Teens who buckle up significantly reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash.
- Speeding – A factor in nearly 30% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers. A previous AAA survey found that speeding is one of the top three mistakes teens make when learning how to drive.
Drowsiness also can be a factor. Teens that don’t get enough sleep risk putting themselves in harm’s way. “Teens have a hard time getting enough sleep and often struggle with drowsiness,” said Theresa Podguski, AAA East Central’s director of legislative affairs. “Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving, and teens have the highest risk. Ensure everyone who is behind the wheel has gotten enough sleep.”
Reinforce good driving habits with your teen drivers to keep summers memorable for the right reasons.